Washing machine



R, R. MILLER WASHING MACHINE Jan. 31, 1939.

Filed March 7, 1955 2 Sheets- Sheet l R. R. MILLER4 Jan. 31, 1939.

WASHING MACHINE Filed March '7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 3l, 1939 'PlvrENfr1 OFFICE WASHING MAGHINE Royal R. Miller, Chicago, Ill., SSisnor of onehalf to Remi J. Gits, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 7,

1s claims.

This invention relates to washing machines and particularly to Washing machines of the rotating agitator type.

The main objects of this invention are togprovide an improved agitating action in washing machines; to provide an improved arrangement of agitator and bowl whereby more elcient agitation is had; to provide an improved agitator and bowl construction whereby intermittent squeezing of the material being washed is had; to provide an improved agitating element; and to provide an improved agitator actuating mechanism.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention and several modifications thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the washing machine showing the mechanism in detail.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a/ modified bowl and agitating mechanism, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the bowl and agitating mechanism of another modification.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings the washer comprises mainly an agitator arranged to move with a gyratory oscillating movement, the mechanism to impart such movement to the agitator, and an improved bowl arrangement and construction. The

gyratory oscillating movement of the agitator is such that positive rotary movement of the agitator is unnecessary, and consists in a pendulous or oscillating swinging of the agitator, about a xed p oint spaced above the bottom of the bowl, in such a manner thateach point on the margin of the agitator is individually, and successively in one direction, raised to 'a maximum upper limit and then lowered to a maximum lower limit in a wavelike or undulating motion so 'that the high'point of the agitator margin gyrates precessionally about a central axis, every marginal point of the agitator being constantly in motion vertically either toward or away from the maximum upper limit. Such motion is here accomplished by freelv journaling the agitator on an inclined axis that itself gyrates about a primary central axis and which intersects the same at the point about which the agitator pendulates so that the agitator may rotate about the said inclined axis at a denite rate relative to the rate of gyration of the inclined axis about the said primary axis.

In the form shown in the drawings, the invention is embodiedin a washing machine comprising a bowl or tub I supported by suitable legs 2 in the usual manner. The bowl I is formed withl a partly spherical inside wall surface extending up- 1935, Serial N0. 9,803 (Cl. 68-28) wardly from a. dat bottom and having an upper cylindrical rim portion which carries a removable .cover (not shown).

A main or primary driveshaft 3 extends vertically through the bowl bottom and into the inte- 5 rior of the bowl. l'I'he shaft 3 is journaled in a suitable gland I which is provided with a bushing 5 at its upper end and a ball bearing 6 adjacentvits lower end, the gland 4 being secured to the bowl bottom by means of cap screws 'I or the 10 like. The lower end of the shaft 3 is connected by suitable gearing 8, with a motor 9 which is mounted' on the framing I 0, extending between the legs 2. f

The upper end of the shaft t is provided with a head I i, fixed thereto, in which a second shaft l2 is mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of the shaft 3. A seal It is also mounted in a counter-bore in the lower side of the headii and, surrounding the shaft 3, bears against an annular plate I4 in the top surface of thegland t to prevent the passage of any uid along the shaft 3. Another seal l5 is also provided below the bearing 6 to prevent any leakage of uid around the shaft 3 at this point. 25

The second or eccentric shaft i2, carried by the head II isl rigidly or flxedly disposed so that its axis B-B will always intersect the axis A-A of the primary shaft 3 above the head Il at the point C which is the spherical center of the spherical wall surfaces of the bowl I.` Thus upon rotation of the shaft t, the secondary shaft is carried with a gyratory motion about the central axis A-A and its axis, B-B, moves in the surface of an imaginary cone. 3

As shown in Fig. l the second shaft l2 supports the hub i6 within which is a bushing lli freely journaled on the shaft I2 and locked against axial movement by the nut i3. The hub I t is secured to the bushing i'I by means of a hanged collar l@ which is bolted to the lower side of the hub and which bears against the lower edge of the bushing I1. The collar IS also houses a seal 2t which bears against a gasket 2l on the head il and which is designed to prevent the passage of any fluid along the surface of the shaft I2.

Mounted on the hub I6 is an agitator, or agitating element, 22 which, in Figs. 1 and 2, is inV the nature of an annular bowl having a raised center and a concaved upper surface terminating 56 in an annular upwardly extending rim 23 which closely follows the wall of the tub l and is tapered to an edge like a squeegee. The agitator 22 is formed so that its raised central portion houses and rests upon the hub I6, and so that its annular margin substantially tits the spherical inner surface of the' tub or bowl I. the practical clearance f between the agitator margin and the spherical surface being from 115th to Vath of an'inch y.

The agitator 22 is secured on the hub 'I3 by means of a headed bolt 24 which is screwed into the top portion of the hub and which clamps a collar 25 between its head and the top of the raised centralY portion of the agitator. As shown in Fig. 1, the bolt 24 and collar 25 extend for some distance beyond the point C where the axes A-A and-B-B intersect and will, therefore, gyrate about the central axis A--A and impart a stirring action to the water held in the tub I. The agitator is also provided with perforations as at 23 which permit the passage of water through the agitator from and into the space below the agitator.

Upon rotation of the shaft 3 the second shaft I2 is carried in a gyrating motion about the axis A-,A of the shaft 3. However, since the mechanism is arranged so that the agitator is freely rotatable on the axis B--B of the shaft I2, the

agitator has a tendency to oscillate about the point C rather than rotate about the axis A-A. That is, with the agitator rotating about the axis B-B at a definite rate relative to the rate of rotation of the shaft 3, any point on the margin of the agitator moves, generally, in a vertical di- 'rection only and the motion of the agitator is pendulous. Thus, while such an arrangement is not shown, the agitator might be prevented from bodily rotating with respect to the bowl without affecting the desired action of the agitator.

The motion of the high point of the agitator rim is, however, in the form shown, precessional in the direction of gyration of the second shaft I2 and the effect is similar to the movement of the crest of a uniform water wave or swell. It is for this reason that the movement of the agitator,

, upon rotation of the primary shaft 3, may be described as a gyratory oscillating motion. The

high point of the agitator rim gyrates about the' primary or central axis A-A while the agitator itself wabbles or oscillates and its rim or margin may or may not rotate relative to the bowl wall according to the resistance it happens to meet.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine is provided with an annular inwardly con,

verging or overhanging portion 21, adjacent the margin of the bowl I, which is in the nature of a continuation of the spherical surface of the bowl above the point of maximum height to which the margin of the agitator is raised in the course of its movement. This inwardly converging portion 21 serves the purpose of directing inwardly the water raised by the agitator during its movemet and increases the agitatingeffect upon the contents of the washing machine.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the agitating mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 except that the bolt and collar 28 and 29, which hold 'the agitator 22 on the hub I6, are made as short as possible. This is done to accommodate a closure member 30 which is disposed above the agitator and arranged to be verticallyvadjustable toward or away from the same. The closure member 30 is provided with an annularly convex lower surface surrounding a central concaved portion and this surface is preferably formed to be somewhat complementary to the upper surface of the agitator.

The agitator 22, as shown in Fig. 2, may be provided with a exible squeegee 23.1 on its rim which engages the wall of the tub or bowl I and positively preventsl any of the material being washed from becoming caught between the rim of the agitator and the lsides of the tub'.

The upper wall of the tub or bowl I of Fig. 2 is provided with inwardlyv extending lugs or projections 3| which are spaced apart vertically and which are engaged by the periphery f the member 30 to hold the same at the desired level above the agitator 22. The periphery of the member 30 may be notched or otherwise formed, in a manner not shown, to permit the passage of the portions 3| when the member 30 is being raised or lowered. While the arrangement of the portions 3| and the means for their passage in the member 30 are not shown in detail, i-t will be apparent that the member 30 may be securely held at the desired level against any upward or downward movement, due to the application of force against the upper or lower surfaces thereof, by this or any other suitable means.

In operation of the device shown in Fig. 2, the

agitator moves with the same gyratory oscillating movement as described for the device of Fig. 1. However, the material in the washer that is adjacent the raised portion of the agitator is squeezed between the agitator. and the member 30 and then, as the raised portion of the agitator progresses gyratorally, the material that has been squeezed is released and allowed to expand in the water held by the tub I. Thus, due to the precessional movement of the raised portion of the agitator, all `the material in the washer is alternately squeezed with a kneading action and then released so that a very thorough and efficient Washing action is had.

As shown in Fig. 2, the member 30 is provided with a plurality of perforations 32 in its lower surface so that during the squeezing action upon the material in the washer, the water held by the material will be more readily squeezed out of the same.

The modification of the hereindescribed invention shown in Fig. 3 involves mainly a different form of agitator; namely, one whose margin is spaced well away from the inner surface of the tub or bowl I. As shown in Fig. 3 the agitator 33 is mounted on the second or gyrating shaft I2 in substantially the same manner shown in the arrangement of Fig. l. However, the agitator 33 is provided with radial fins 34 which engage the material held within the washer so as to eiliciently agitate such material.

In this arrangement the motion of the agitator is the same as that of the agitator in device shown in Fig. l. That is the agitator oscillates and the high point of the periphery gyrates precessionally. The material within the washer is not, however, maintained above the driving mechanism as in the other forms of washers shown and for this reason a provision must be made to keep the material from becoming caught and tangled in the rotating parts. This is accomplished by providing a closure plate or member 35 for the end opening 36 of the agitator, which opening is necessary for mounting the agita-tor upon the hub I6. The opening 36 and the plate 35 are arranged concentric with the axis of the shaft I2 and the plate 35 is fixedly mounted on the head I I so as to rotate therewith. However, since Ithe plate 35 and the opening 36 are concentric with the axis of the shaft I2, the agitator is freely rotatable on its axis and through engagement of the fins 34 with the material in the washer will be substantially held against a simple vgyratory movement with the shaft I2.

dil

(titl tid As shown in Fig. 3, the plate 35 is formed so that the possibility ofmaterial catching on the moving partsis obviated. Also -the hub portion of the plate 35, where it is mounted on the head i I is counter-bored so as to receive the upper end of the gland 4, thus shroudingthe space between the head i I and the end of the gland 4 that would otherwise provide a groove in which light-weight or thin material might become caught and wound about the head ill.

In the operation of the devices shownin Figures 1 and 2, the oscillating movement of the agitator d2 causes the Water held within the washer to fiow outwardly and upwardly, relative to bottom center of the washer and then, at the upper part of the same, inwardly toward the central axis A-A and downward toward the agitator, at the same time moving generally around the said central axis rotationally.- This movement of the water causes' the material being washed to take, generally, the same path so that the material is being constantly turned over and shifted from the center of the device to the outer walls thereof and then back to the center, the material moving downwardlyv at the center and upwardly at the sides.

The agitator perforations 26, indicated in Figures 1 and 2, are preferably more numerous than as shown and, because of the oscillating movement of the agitator, cause the water to be forced upwardly in small jets during downward movement of the agitator and produce a suction during upward movement of the agitator. The small jets force the water into the material being washed and generally assist in the agitation and to keep the material in suspension in the water; and the suction assists in maintaining the turning-over effect on the material.

While the driving arrangement shown in Fig. l is arranged for unidirectional rotary movement of the shaft 3, it will be readily understood that the driving means 8 and 9 may be arranged for angular oscillation of the shaft 3, in accordance with the well-known practice in the washing machine art, wherein thev shaft is rotated iirst in one direction and then in the opposite direction, turning about ve-eighths of a revolution each time. A specific arrangement for such a drive is not shown for the reason that several such methods are well known to all those skilled in the art.

The action of the agitator 22 with such a drive arrangement is, however, substantially the same as with a full rotary drive with the exception that the high point on the agitator periphery instead of progressing gyratorally for a full revolution only travels as far as the shaft is turned and then returns in the opposite direction. The agitator still retains its general gyratory-oscillating movement and the water and material held in the tub i is given the same rolling movement in a vertical plane as hereto-fore described.

An outstanding feature of this arrangement of drive is, however, the fact that the water and material in the tub will travel in one direction only around the central axis A-A and will not reverse upon gyratory motion of the agitator in the opposite direction.

Thus, in spite of the angular oscillatory motion of the agitator, the effect upon the contents of the tub is substantially the same as that described for the full rotary motion of the agitator drive shaft as far as the kind and direction of movement of the tub contents are concerned, the main difference being only in the somewhat increased or more rapid agitation of the Water with the lating drive arrangement, above described, the,

agitator itself does not necessarily rotate relative to the side wall of the tub i and ordinarily has only a slight tendency to do so, this being due to the. free pivotal movement of the agitator about the axis B--B of the shaft i2.

The terms oscillate", oscillating and oscillatory, as used herein to describe the movement of the agitator, refer to a vertical projection of the agitator motion, and the term gyratory, as used in describing the agitator movement, refers to a horizontal projection of the motion of the agitator about the axis A-A of the shaft t.

The main advantages ofthe hereindescribed` invention lie`in the fact that the tub contents is thoroughly agitated and rolled over and over in both vertical and horizontal planes without the use of radial ilns or blades on the agitating element. Thus the material being washed is not only kept virtually in suspension but is also relieved of the destructive beating effect that is always present where radial iins or blades are employed and the material is utterly free of any tendency to tangle .or become compacted into a heavy mass.

Several specific embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, but it will be understood that details of the constructions may be otherwise altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined in the following claims: v

I claim: 1

1. A device of the class described comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head ixed on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned eccentrically with its axis intersecting that of the first shaft at substantially the spherical center of said bowl wall surface, and an agitator mounted on said second shaft above said head and extending transversely of the rst shaft, said agitator being rotatable about the axis of said second shaft and having an annular margin the entire periphery of which substantially engages the spherical wall of said bowl.

2. A device` of the class described-comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, said wall surface converging inwardly adjacent the margin of said bowl, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head fixed on said shaft within said bowl adjacent the bottoni thereof, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned eccentrically with its axis intersecting that of the rst shaft above said head, andan agitator mounted on said second shaft above said headand below the margin of said bowl, said agitator being freely rotatable on the axis of said second shaft.

3. A device of the class described comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof; a head fixed on said shaft on said bowl and adjacent the bottom thereof, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned eccentrically with its axis intersecting that of the first shaft above said head, an agitator mounted dit till) above said head on said second shaft and rotatable on the axis thereof whereby said agitator moves with a rotaryipendulous motion relative to the first shaft and thepoint' of intersection of the axis thereof with theaxis of said second shaft, said agitator extending transversely of said bowl and having an annular margin, the periphery of which follows a vertical path parallel with the spherical wall of said bowl during the pendulous movement of said agitator, and a closure member arranged to flt into said bowl above said agitator and to be adjustably spaced therefrom to provide means against which material held in said bowl will be squeezed during oscillating movement of said agitator.

4. A device of the class described comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head flxed'on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned eccentrically with its axis intersecting that of the first shaft above said head, an agitator mounted above said head on said second shaft and rotatable on the axis thereof whereby said agitator moves with a rotatably pendulous motion relative to the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts, said agitator having an annular concaved upper surface extending transversely of said bowl susbtantially to the spherical wall thereof, and a closure member arranged to fit within said bowl above said agitator and having an annular convexed lower surface to provide means against which material held in said bowl will be squeezed during pendulous movement of said agitator.

5. A washing machine comprisingv a bowl, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head fixed on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned in angular relation with its axis intersecting the axis of the first shaft above said head, and an agitator mounted on said second shaft above said head and below the intersection of said axes and having portions extending transversely of said bowl, said agitator being rotatable on the axis of said second shaft whereby said agitator moves with a rotary pendulous motion relative to the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts when the first shaft is rotated.

6. A washing machine comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, an annular dish-like agitator extending transversely of said bowl and spaced above the bottom thereof, said agitator having its margins extending substantially to the wall of said bowl, and rotatable means extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof arranged to support said agitator and to impart movement to said agitator such that its central transverse axis describes a cone, with the apex of the cone above the agitator and at the spherical center of the said bowl.

7. A washing machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head mounted on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and extending angularly upward therefrom with its axis intersecting the axis of the first shaft above said head, a dish-like agitator mounted on said second shaft and extending transversely of said bowl, said agitator being rotatable on the axis of said second shaft whereby said agitator moves with a rotary pendulous motion relative to the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts upon rotation of the first-mentioned shaft, and a closure member arranged to fit into said bowl above said agitator and to be adjustably spaced therefrom to provide means against which material in said bowl may be squeezed during oscillating movement of said agitator.

8. A washing machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head'flxed on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned in angular relation with its axis intersecting the axis of the ilrst shaft above said head, an agitator mounted on said second shaft above said head and having portions disposed below the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts and extending transversely of said bowl, and an upwardly extending portion on said agitator substantially concentric with the axis 'of said second shaft and extending beyond the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts, said atator being rotatable on the axis of said second s f 9. A washing machine comprising a bowl, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl through the bottom thereof, a head mounted on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and extending angularly upward therefrom with its axis intersecting the axis of the rst shaft above said head, a perforated dish-v like agitator mounted on said second shaft below the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts and extending transversely of said bowl, and an upwardly extending portion on said agitator disposed substantially concentric with the axis of said second shaft and extending beyond the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts, said agitator being rotatable on the axis of said second shaft whereby said agitator moves with a rotary pendulous motion relative to the point of intersection of the axes of said shafts upon rotation of the first-mentioned shaft.

10. In a washing machine, a tub arranged for holding a washing liquid and having a top opening, driving means extending upwardly from the bottom of said tub, an agitator disposed in said tub and adapted for agitating the liquid therein, said agitator comprising an annular transversely extending member having an inwardly and upwardly sloping central portion arising from its main surface normal thereto and extending to adjacent said top opening, and a connection between said driving means and said central portion for supporting said agitator so that the agitator is disposed non-parallel with the bottom of said tub and with its central transverse axis intersecting the axis of said driving means above said agitator.

11. In a washing machine, a tub arranged for holding a washingliquid, a vertically disposed rotatable shaft extending upwardly from the tub bottom and having an upwardly extending angularly disposed bearing at the upper end thereof, and an agitator having a hub supported by said bearing so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto, said hub having a transversely extending portion disposed adjacent lthe bottom of said tub,

and the-plane of said agitator being angularly disposed relative to the horizontal with its central axis intersecting the axis of said shaft above said transversely extending portion.

12. In a washing machine, a tub having a, bowlshaped bottom portion, a vertically disposed ro- 'tatable shaft extending upwardly from the tub bottom and having an angularly disposed bearing at the upper end of said shaft, and an agitator having a hub supported by said bearing so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto, said agianimata tator hub having a concentric annular transversely extending portion disposed angularly relative to the horizontal and positioned in said tub so that the entire periphery of said transversely extending portion is disposed ini close proximity to the inner surface of said bowlshaped portion, all arranged so that the material being washed is maintained wholly above saidl agitator.

13. A device of the class described comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, a rotatable shaft extending into said bowl from the bottom thereof, a head fixed on said shaft within said bowl, a second shaft carried by said head and positioned eccentrically with its axis intersecting that of the first shaft at substantially the spherical center of said bowl-wall surface, and an agitator mounted on said second shaft above said head and extending transversely of the rst shaft, said agitator having an annular margin the entire periphery of which closely follows the spherical wall of said bowl when-said agitator is actuated.

14. A washing machine comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, an annular agitator extending transversely of said bowl and spaced above the bottom thereof, said agitator having its margins extending substantially to the wall of said bowl, and a rotatable means extending into said bowl from the bottom thereof arranged to support said agitator and to impart a rotary pendulous movement to said agitator relative to the spherical center of said bowl.

15. A washing machine comprising a bowl having a spherical inside wall surface, an annular agitator extending transverselyfof said bowl and spaced above the bottom thereof and below the spherical center of said inside wall surface, said agitator having its margins extending substan 'tially to the wall of said bowl, and rotatable means extending into said bowlfrom the bottom thereof arranged to support said agitator and to impart movement to said agitator such that its central transverse axis describes a cone, with the apex of the cone above the agitator at the spherical center of the tub.

6. In a. washing machine, a tub arranged for holding a washing liquid, a rotatable drive shaft extending upwardly from the bottom of said tub,

an agitator comprising a central hub portion adapted to be mounted on the end of said drive shaft, said hub having a central opening to receive said shaft and an annular inwardly extending rim surrounding said opening concentrically therewith, and an annular closure plate arranged to fit concentrically within the said rim of said agitator, said closure plate being mounted on said drive shaft.

17. In a washing machine, a tub arranged for holding a washing liquid, a rotatable drive shaft extending upwardly from the bottom of said tub, a head fixed on said drive shaft within said bowly 'a second shaft carried by said head and positioned in an angular relation with its axis intersecting the axis of the first shaft above said head, an agitator having a central hub portion arranged to be mounted on said second shaft above said head, said hubpoltion having an annular concentric opening arranged to receive said second shaft and an annular inwardly extending rim concentric with said opening of said hub. portion, and a closure plate disposed concentrically with said annular rim and arranged to nt the margins thereof, said closure plate being ilxedly mounted on the said first shaft adjacent the lower portion of said head.

18. In a washing machine, a tub having a spheroidal bowl-shaped bottom portion, rotatable driving means extending upwardly from the bottom of said tub, a downwardly dished discoidal agitator disposed in said tub and adapted for agitating the liquid therein, and a pivotal connection.

between said driving means and said agitator for rotatably supporting said agitator eccentrically relative to thel axis of said driving means and so that the central axis of rotation of said agitator is angularly inclined relative to the vertical axis of said tub and intersects the same above the main body part of said agitator and centrally of l the spheroidal portion of the bottom, said agitator having an annular transversely extending rim portion positioned in said tub so that its entire margin is ever disposed approximately in sliding contact with the inner surface of said bowl- A shaped portion of said tub, all arranged whereby the material being washed is maintained wholly above said agitator.

ROYAL R. MILLER. 

